'The Big Lebowski' 15 years later

By Gabriel Falcon, Special to CNN

Updated 2:34 PM ET, Tue March 5, 2013

'The Big Lebowski': Where are they now?9 photos

"The Big Lebowski" turns 17 on March 6. Joel and Ethan Coen's 1998 flick, complete with a cast of Oscar-winners and Hollywood A-listers, has become a cult classic despite flopping at the box office. In 2011, actress Tara Reid said a sequel was in the works. However, the Coen Brothers have since made it clear that they have no plans for a "Big Lebowski 2."

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'The Big Lebowski': Where are they now?9 photos

After playing Jeffrey Lebowski (aka The Dude), Jeff Bridges won an Academy Award for his role in 2009's "Crazy Heart." He was nominated again for 2010's "True Grit," which the Coen Brothers adapted and directed. The actor has also shown up in flicks like "Iron Man" and reprised his role as Kevin Flynn in "Tron: Legacy."

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'The Big Lebowski': Where are they now?9 photos

John Goodman, who played Vietnam veteran and bowler Walter Sobchak in "The Big Lebowski," channeled his family-friendly side when he lent his voice to 2001's "Monsters, Inc." and 2007's "Bee Movie." He's since appeared in critics' favorites such as "The Artist" and "Argo," which took home the Oscar for best picture.

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'The Big Lebowski': Where are they now?9 photos

Four-time Oscar nominee Julianne Moore has stared in films such as "Far from Heaven," "The Hours" and "Crazy, Stupid, Love." since she took on the role of Maude Lebowski. She's played Sarah Palin in HBO's "Game Change" and showed her comedic side as Nancy Donovan on NBC's "30 Rock." In 2015, she won a best actress Oscar for "Still Alice."

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'The Big Lebowski': Where are they now?9 photos

A far departure from Donny, Steve Buscemi has received praise for starring as Nucky in HBO's "Boardwalk Empire." He's also appeared in movies such as "I Now Pronounce You Chuck & Larry," "Grown Ups" and "The Incredible Burt Wonderstone."

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'The Big Lebowski': Where are they now?9 photos

Philip Seymour Hoffman, who played Brandt in "The Big Lebowski," appeared in several well-received movies, such as "The Master," "Moneyball" and "The Ides of March." He was in "The Hunger Games: Catching Fire" as Plutarch Heavensbee. Hoffman died of combined drug intoxication in February 2014.

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'The Big Lebowski': Where are they now?9 photos

Having made a name for herself as flighty blonde Bunny Lebowski, Tara Reid went on to appear in the "American Pie" movies, "Van Wilder" and "Last Call." She's also played Danni Sullivan on "Scrubs" and appeared in the "Sharknado" films.

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'The Big Lebowski': Where are they now?9 photos

David Huddleston, who played the title character in "The Big Lebowski," went on to guest star on series such as "The West Wing" and "It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia." The "Blazing Saddles" actor also appeared in 2005's "The Producers," 2007's "Postal" and 2014's "Locker 13."

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'The Big Lebowski': Where are they now?9 photos

Since playing The Stranger and narrating "The Big Lebowski," Sam Elliott appeared in movies such as "We Were Soldiers," "Up in the Air" and "The Company You Keep." In 2015, he appeared in the TV series "Justified."

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Story highlights

This March 6 marks the 15th anniversary of "The Big Lebowski's" release

The flick, which opened to mixed reviews, is now considered a cult hit

Bridges: "Your 12-year-old, or your teeny bopper, or most grandparents just won't get it"

He's played singers, sailors and serial killers, but there's one role that die-hard fans of Jeff Bridges can't get enough of: The stoner.

"Who knows? Mystery of the unknown," the Academy-Award winning actor tells CNN about the enduring legacy of "The Big Lebowski."

"Maybe it has to do with turning someone on to something you dig; it is like turning your younger brother on to Led Zeppelin, when he's ready to get it."

Sprinkle a healthy dose of "mans" and f-bombs into that quote and it could have been uttered by The Dude himself. "It's something that entertains people on a whole other level than most films," Bridges says, "and once they've enjoyed it, they have to share with someone."

The sharing is certainly growing for "Lebowski." This March 6 marks the 15th anniversary of the movie's release. Hard to believe that the Southern Californian odyssey that opened to mixed reviews (The New Yorker called it an "irritatingly antic caper") is now considered among the best in the Coen Brothers canon and a bona fide cultural phenomenon.

The appreciation goes way beyond the silver screen. Books are written about "The Big Lebowski," including one by Bridges himself. There are "Lebowski Fests" held nationwide where fans gather, often dressed as their favorite characters.

The "Lebowski Fest" slated for Los Angeles March 22-23 features the actors who played Woo, The Malibu Sheriff and the Ralph's check-out girl who watched The Dude write a 69 cent check for a carton of milk. This past weekend, the now iconic bathrobe worn by Bridges throughout the movie was auctioned off for $22,755, according to Premiere Props in Los Angeles.

There's even the "Little Lebowski Shop" in New York that sells merchandise ranging from shirts and mugs to action figures and a life-size cutout of The Dude.

"Business has been good," says Roy Preston, the owner of the store. "I have customers coming in ranging in age from 8 to 70 and from all over the world. There's something universal about it that speaks to people."

What's so universal about an unemployed slacker who wears bathrobes, loves White Russians and hates the Eagles? "He's the unlikely hero of our times," says Brian Balthazar, editor of the entertainment site popgoestheweek.com. "There are a lot of people that oddly enough want to be like him, to be completely intent in his apathy in life. And then have this guy embark on a crazy journey? It is literally the ultimate dude movie."

A dude movie filled with memorable performances. There's John Goodman as the Vietnam veteran whose observance to the Jewish sabbath prevents him from bowling on Saturdays. ("I don't roll on Shabbos" he bellows from the lanes.) John Turturro is the rival bowler named Jesus, who also happens to be a convicted sex offender.

Peter Stormare, who played both a porn star and German nihilist in "Lebowski" laughs when talking about the film's cult-like following. "I'm amazed because it's bigger than "The Rocky Horror Picture Show," he says. "I've been to two or three Lebowski fests and it's pretty bizarre to see 20 Karl Hunguses walking around. It's an honor and at the same time it's a little strange."

Stormare is also surprised by the film's continued success. "None of us really thought the movie would do well because they didn't do anything big for it when it came out," he tells CNN. "They didn't really promote it, and then it caught on like a sleeper and came just roaring as the years went by."

Bridges cautions that "Lebowski" may not be for everyone. "Your 12-year-old, or your teeny bopper, or most grandparents just won't get it," he says while making it clear it may be more of a "guy" thing.

"I can just imagine how many older brothers wait for their younger bros to turn 16 or whatever perfect age for them to truly be able to soak in all of the pointless amazingness that the "Big Lebowski" has to offer! All the Dude ever wanted was his rug back!"